The perceptions of and courase evaluation of the MPH degree by former Wits students who graduated in the period 2001-2007

Abstract:

Background: In 1998 the Wits Faculty of Health Science began to offer a master’s
programme in public health, through the School of Public Health, called the Master of
Public Health. (MPH). The aim of the degree is to prepare “professionals to play
leadership roles in the management, improvement and evaluation of health and the health
care system” and to respond “to the needs of the people of South Africa and the African
continent in their various living and working conditions”. Eight objectives have been set
for the degree and these will be gone into in detail. Admission requirements to the
programme are a bachelor’s degree of a minimum of four years duration in dentistry,
medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, etc. The programme can be
offered on a full- or part-time basis. The following core modules are offered: Primary
Health Care & Social Context of Health; Health Measurement I & II; Environmental &
Occupational Health; Public Health Law & Health Systems Integration; Health Policy
&Policy Analysis; Health Systems & Decentralization; Health Management Theory &
Practice; Epidemiology; Health Care Financing etc. The primary motivation for this study
was to determine the level of satisfaction of MPH graduates with the degree that they
studied.
Methods: The study was a cross-sectional study design. It was a survey that entailed
using a pretested interview schedule or questionnaire. The study population was all MPH
graduates up until June 2007 (N = 80). The participants were contacted telephonically or
by e-mail by the researcher. The initial idea was to interview the participants
telephonically, but most preferred to have the prepared interview schedule e-mailed to
them. A Pilot Study (using 8 students) was conducted before commencement of the
actual study. The pilot study revealed that the study questionnaire, although long and
cumbersome, was do-able. A sample of 70 graduates was used and of these, 60 responded
i.e. response rate of 86%. The researcher e-mailed the interview schedule and the
information sheet which explained what the study was about and also made it clear that
even if they had initially agreed to participate, they could still opt out if they later
changed their minds. The information sheet further explained that their participation
would be kept strictly anonymous, only codes would be used.
The data gathering sheet (questionnaire) is in two parts: Part One is the “Course
Evaluation” and Part Two is the “Value of the Masters in Public Health to Your Career”.
Under Part One the candidates gave their views on the following: the content of various
courses or modules offered; the teaching methods applied by the School; academic
quality; administrative support; and research report support. Questions in each of these
subsections were such that a rating on a scale of 1 to 5 (5 being excellent and 1 poor) had
to be given and next to the score (rating) the candidate could also give a comment to
explain the rating or how they felt about what was asked. At the end of each of the subsections
are a number of open-ended questions that gave the candidate more scope for
further written or verbal input. Similarly, Part Two has a rating on a scale of 1 to 5 (5
being extremely valuable and 1 less valuable) in terms of the value the particular course
or module mentioned in the career of the graduate. There is also a “comment” portion
accompanying every question. And at the end of this part are six open-ended questions
aimed at eliciting more qualitative information based on the experiences of graduates post
graduation and specifically focusing on the working environment. One very important
question in this section is: “Would you or have you recommended this masters
programme to others”. There are only two possible answers to this question: “Yes” –
which signifies satisfaction with the programme, and “No” – which signifies unhappiness
with the programme. It is a very important question in gauging client satisfaction.
Results: On a rating of 1 to 5 (1 being poor whilst 5 is excellent the top rated modules were rated as follows under course evaluation: (i) Primary Health Care & Social Context
of Health: All respondents (60 i.e. 100%) rated this module and gave it a rating of 4.13
(83%) (ii) Health Policy and Policy Analysis: Although 40 (67%) out of 60 people
responded to this question, they gave it a rating of 4.25 (85%) (iii) Project Management
for Public Health Practitioners: It was given a 4.27 (85%) rating by 44 (73%) out of 60
participants. (iv) Management in Health and Health Services: This module was given a
rating of 3.83 (77%) by 58 (97%) out of 60 participants and (v) Introduction to
Management in Theory and Practice: It was rated at 3.82 (76%) by 32 (53%) of the 60
participants. The same top-rated above modules were rated as follows under “Value of
the Masters in Public Health (MPH) to your career” i.e. Part II of the questionnaire. (i)Primary Health Care & Social Context of Health: 3.26 (65%) as rated by 46 (77%) out 60
participants. (ii) Health Policy and Policy Analysis: 3.96 (79%) by 46 (77%) respondents
out of 60. (iii) Project Management for Public Health Practitioners: 3.26 (65%) as rated
by 46 (77%) out 60 participants. (iv) Management in Health and Health Services: 3.96
(79%) by 54 (90%) out of 60 participants.
Discussion: Various laudable written comments made by participants about each
module have been captured and recorded. These will be seen later. (i) Primary Health
Care & Social Context of Health: This module received a very high from all the
participants of the research study. The concepts of Primary Health Care and Social
Context of Health have clearly been taught and grasped. (ii) Health Policy and Policy
Analysis: This was the track that most graduates followed. It helped graduates understand
and be able to analyse various policy issues in their respective organizations. Emphasis
has not only been laid on policy formulation but also on policy implementation. (iii)
Project Management for Public Health Practitioners: This module scored a very high
rating under course evaluation. There is a perception that some public health services
could be run as projects in an endeavour to increase efficiency. (iv) Management in
Health and Health Services: A number of the students who come from the public health
sector to do MPH are in management positions already, although they may not have a
formal management qualification. Those who are not in management positions are
preparing themselves to go into management positions in future. This module is of great
assistance in preparing them for careers in management.
The study has revealed that 98% of participants have stated that they would or have
recommended the Wits MPH to others. And 80% of the participants have also stated that
there has been a positive change in their careers since acquiring the MPH qualification.